THE POWER OF FAMILY BY SYNDI POWELL
Romeo and Juliet. Fiddler on the
Roof. Pride and Prejudice. Anne of Green Gables. Even Frozen. What do these all have in common? They're about families.
Whether it's two families in conflict or an orphan searching for a family of
her own, these stories come down to the search for one's self through the
framework of familial ties.
Why are we drawn to stories that explore families? Perhaps some of it
is because there's so much material in our own families that we can relate.
Maybe some of it is the need to belong, and within the pages of a book we do
belong to that family. Possibly it's because we want to escape our own family
drama and live out someone else's.
Whatever the reason, readers (and writers) love family stories. Even if
the family is not a part of the main plot, they are still present. Sometimes,
they are a part of the main character's motivation or conflict. They can
influence the hero's behavior and his choices. Our characters don't exist in a
bubble, so often we explore the family dynamic to mine information of who our
character is, but especially why he is the way he is.
And family doesn't necessarily mean blood relatives. At times, it's the
family the hero and heroine creates. In my upcoming Hope Center books, my three
heroines create a support system to help them cope with their breast cancer
diagnosis and treatment. They become as close as sisters, celebrating in the
good times and holding hands in the difficult ones. And outside of these three
women, they have other families: ones they were born in as well as those they
marry into. This web of family ties becomes a community that these women can
rely on when things get tough. And they always get tough.
The power of family has always drawn me into stories. I may have grown
up in a good family, but there was definitely plenty of drama and has provided
me with plenty of story ideas (with the names changed, of course). As I look
for my next story ideas, I think I'll explore my family and create a new
fictional one. Because family ties make great stories.
I agree with your belief of the power of family, Syndi. I'm really looking forward to reading AFRAID TO LOSE HER. Great cover!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill!
DeleteI agree, too, Syndi. I wish you all the best wish your new series.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kate!
DeleteThe drama within the family is as old as time and will never fade. I wish you all the best with your new series, Syndi! Fabulous, happy cover!
ReplyDeleteFamilies definitely give us plenty of fodder for stories! Thank you, Catherine.
DeleteI can't wait to read AFRAID TO LOSE HER. Family, whether ours or someone else's, give us our greatest stories.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz. You're right!
DeleteI swear family, especially the one you're born into, are like gifts you don't want but one day find terribly indispensable. All the best, Syndi!
ReplyDeleteThank you, M.K. And I agree!
DeleteLove your cover, Syndi! I have a large, sometimes crazy, always loud family that I adore and that has given me lots of inspiration for my stories. I couldn't agree with you more about the power of family. Your series sounds terrific!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cari Lynn!
DeleteYou're so right about families, Syndi, and their power, whether it's what they give us or what they demand from us. A great cover and your new release - and the series - sounds like a wonderful, inspiring read.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice. And you're right: families give and take.
DeleteSyndi, so true! I have a huge outgoing extended family full of interesting "characters" and I am often inspired by/shamelessly steal ideas from them. They're also incredibly loving and supportive I don't know what I would do without them. This series sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol!
DeleteLOL, if I wrote about my family... no one would believe it. LOL
ReplyDeleteI agree, though, family is the strongest bond which only strengthens love :)
Thank you, Pamela! I've warned my family to be careful of what they do and say around me because it could end up in a book ;)
DeleteI love stories about big families because mine was so small. Love your cover!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia!
DeleteWhat a powerful post! And you are so right. Sometimes families are the forged through difficult times that bond people together and not necessarily through blood. Your new series sounds amazing! Congrats and can't wait to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, LeAnne!
DeleteGreat post, Syndi. I have a huge extended family who I relentlessly mine for ideas. Happily, they don't seem to mind.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia!
DeleteLovely post. As someone who has a small family, and almost no extended family, I'm still especially drawn to all the different ways families are created. In almost all my books, and most romances or women's fiction, for that matter, a new family emerges from the story. Sometimes, the original families are mended, too. Sometimes not. So, we solve that problem in another book! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Virginia! Families are the backbone of romance.
DeleteI couldn't have said it better.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shirley!
DeleteExcellent post, Syndi. You are tackling an important though difficult subject in your books. Can't wait to read them.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
Thank you, Cynthia!
DeleteA poignant but much needed topic to delve into. Thank you for writing about the subject of breast cancer. If it hasn't touched us personally, we all know someone that it has touched. Looking forward to the release of this one.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laurie! It's amazing how many people I've met since that had or know someone who has breast cancer. When I got diagnosed, I searched for books that dealt with the subject. I found a lot of nonfiction, but found myself drawn to the fictional ones.
DeleteFamilies. AND cancer. Wow. What a powerful combination. Looking forward to reading all about it, Syndi. Enjoy your week's end and weekend!
ReplyDeleteI've always been drawn to stories about families, and I tend to write stories about them too. My home life growing up was extremely dysfunctional, and being able to write about it through my characters is therapeutic for me in many ways. I can't wait to read Afraid to Lose Her. LOVE that cover!
ReplyDeleteWell said, Syndi, and I hope your Hope series is a huge success! Family...a solid source of support...and an endless supply of drama lol ;).
ReplyDeleteFamily is the foundation, for good or bad. Can't wait to read the book.
ReplyDelete